STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the automatic
transmission gearshift lever and
allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine without
locking the steering wheel. This
position also allows the automatic
transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without
the brake pedal being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated with
engine off. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
1
23
4
5
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
140
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5(START).
2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start
within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds
and try again. If the engine still fails to start, press the accelerator to the
floor and try again; this will allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut
off in case the engine is flooded with fuel.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
In cold weather, ethanol fuel distributors should supply winter grade
(E
d85) ethanol. If summer grade (Ed85) ethanol is used in cold weather,
you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle or hesitation
until the engine has warmed up. Consult your fuel distributor for the
availability of winter grade (E
d85) ethanol. High-quality blends of winter
grade (E
d85) ethanol will produce satisfactory cold weather starting and
driving results.
Cold starting performance can also be improved by using an engine block
heater. Engine block heaters are available as an option and can be
obtained from your Ford dealer. Consult the engine block heater section
for proper use of the engine block heater.
If you experience cold weather starting problems on (E
d85) ethanol, and
neither an alternative brand of (E
d85) ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, adding unleaded gasoline to your tank will improve
cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on (E
d85)
ethanol, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions
(flexible fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
3
4
1 2
5
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
143
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight should turn off. (A
driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to
the description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to thescheduled
maintenance informationfor the
service interval schedules. If adding
fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
214
specifications ..................219–220
Exhaust fumes ..........................144
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....203
Floor mats ...................................62
Fluid capacities .........................218
Fuel ............................................203
calculating fuel
economy ............................54, 209
cap ...........................................206
capacity ...................................218
choosing the right fuel ...........206
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................212
detergent in fuel .....................208
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................203, 206, 209
filter, specifications ........209, 217
fuel pump shut-off switch .....155
improving fuel economy ........209
octane rating ...........207, 220–221
quality ......................................207
running out of fuel .................208
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................203
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................203, 206–207
Fuses ..................................156–157
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................49
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............206
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................209
Gauges .........................................13H
Hazard flashers .........................155
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................30
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................33
daytime running lights .............29
flash to pass ..............................30
high beam .................................30
replacing bulbs .........................35
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........23, 25
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................49
Hood ..........................................190
I
Ignition .......................140, 220–221
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................107
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................214
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................186
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................30
J
Jack ............................................162
positioning ...............................162
storage .....................................162
Jump-starting your vehicle ......168
K
Keyless entry system .................71
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
229
Keys
positions of the ignition .........140
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................33
daytime running light ...............29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...........................32
replacing
bulbs ..................33, 35, 37–38, 40
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........146
Load limits .................................130
Locks
childproof ..................................64
doors ..........................................63
Lubricant specifications ...219–220
Lug nuts ....................................167
Lumbar support, seats ...............78
M
Message center ...........................53
english/metric button ...............58
system check button ................58
warning messages .....................59
Mirrors ...................................42, 44
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................44
heated ........................................45
side view mirrors (power) .......45
Moon roof ....................................48Motorcraft parts ........187, 209, 217
O
Octane rating ............................207
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................193
Overdrive ...................................150
P
Parking brake ............................146
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....217
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................82
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................160
Power door locks ........................63
Power mirrors .............................45
Power point .................................42
Power steering ..........................148
fluid, checking and adding ....214
fluid, refill capacity ................218
fluid, specifications .........219–220
Power Windows ...........................43
R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............27
Relays ........................................162
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors ...........63
opening the trunk .....................67
Roadside assistance ..................154
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............94
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
230
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................223
Vehicle loading ..........................130
Ventilating your vehicle ...........144
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................192Water, Driving through .............153
Windows
power
.........................................43
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................41
checking and adding fluid
.....192
replacing wiper blades
...........193
Wrecker towing
.........................173
2006 Taurus(tau)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
232